I love the Regency period. That time was leisurely and fun. But the era that I’m most drawn to is the Middle Ages. Here, danger lurks at every corner. And the dashing, sexy knight in shining armor comes charging across the plains to rescue a strong-willed damsel in distress.

For me, it’s not the political intrigue that interests me but the love and lives of extraordinary people. In my new book One True Knight I try to capture the essence of this period. I’ve always imagined that life during this time was exciting, colorful, full of action and, let’s not forget the most important thing of all – romance. The knights back then adhered to a strict code of chivalry and courtly love. They would single out women and worship them from afar, writing long romantic poems and vowing to do brave acts in the name of love.

While doing research for my book, I came across a picture of a shield depicting a knight kneeling before his lady. On the shield was written: You or Death.

Now what warm-blooded woman can resist that kind of devotion?

Please comment below and tell me what time period that you’re drawn to. I would love to hear your thoughts on this.

One True Knight ~ Historical Romance by Dana D’Angelo

Blurb:

When the beautiful yet feisty Rowena de Belleville discovers her father’s plan to remarry, she fears the worst and flees her home — only to be thrust into the arms of a stranger.

Desperate to hide her identity from her pursuers, she embraces the dark stranger. But her reckless act backfires as it awakens a passion buried deep within her soul, while igniting the fuse of her mysterious benefactor.

Unable to escape destiny, their paths cross yet again. This time she learns the handsome man is Jonathan d’Abelard – the Iron Hawk, a legendary knight feared by all save one faceless killer bent on making his life a living hell…

Will her chance encounter draw them together, or ensnare her in a dangerous game of seduction, feverish desire and vengeance?

Excerpt:

“What is it?” she asked, searching his face. Her eyes settled on the long scar that ran down the length of his face. It made him look fierce, although the expression on his rugged face had turned gentle, a smile playing on his lips.

Rowena didn’t think that he was handsome at first but now up close, she had to admit that he had a rather pleasant face. She shifted uncomfortably on her feet, and became conscious of the strength and power that exuded from his body. And she was all too aware of him as the virile male that kissed her once in town and many more times in her dreams.

He stood close to her now and with one hand, he reached out to caress her soft skin. “I often lie awake at night thinking about our encounter in town,” he confessed.

She startled at his touch. “Sir Jonathan,” she managed in what she hoped was a brisk tone. She took a step back. “We are no longer in town. That game is finished. I told you that I do not wish to speak of that encounter ever again.”

“I know there’s something warm and yielding inside,” he continued as if he didn’t hear her. He traced a long finger along her jaw, leaving a burning trail of erotic heat in its wake. “I want to experience it again,” he said softly, undeterred by her icy tone.

“’Tis a mistake for us to be alone,” she said, although she remained as still as if the slippers she wore somehow had sprouted roots and became embedded into the ground.

He took her chin between his thumb and forefinger, stroking, caressing her silken skin until it tingled with awareness.

She felt her mouth go dry and she touched her tongue to her lips to moisten them.

“The only way to know for sure that I didn’t dream everything up is to taste your sweetness again,” he said, staring at her lips. “Will you indulge me?”

Bio:

Dana is the only girl from a family of nine children. As a teenager, there was a constant battle for the T.V. remote, which she lost, so she was forced to find her amusement in books. A friend got her into romances, and soon she read as many as ten romance novels per week, spending hours with her nose pressed between the pages, skipping meals and cutting out sleep. Life, it seems, wasn’t as exciting or interesting as in the Medieval or Regency eras.

It wasn’t until she was married with two young kids that she decided to take a stab at writing her own historical romance novels.

She is intrigued with the idea of writing romantic stories that could bring hours of enjoyment to readers, help them escape from reality, and perhaps remind them how sweet love is and should be. These are the things that she enjoys as a reader, and these are the things that she wants to give back as a writer.

Dana lives in a city east of Toronto, Canada. When she’s not writing or reading, she’s dining at local restaurants with her husband and kids and enjoying spectacular foods of the world.

As a historical era and as a former history teacher, I love the middle ages, but I haven’t read much fiction set in the period.

My favorite historical era to read in fiction is the American Revolution and Civil War. For years–and I mean years– I tried to write in this era. But I would just start books and never finish them. My favorite author who writes in this era (though not a romance author) is John Jakes. And very recently, I’ve started liking WWII era stuff.

My least favorite is Victorian and Regency (sorry to all of you who write it).

Hi, Dana. It’s nice to meet you. I’m a fan of the Victorian era. The people were a little stuffy on the outside but bubbling cauldrons of sensuality on the inside. Some of that was ruthlessly repressed and some delved into kinkiness. I like that contrast. When I wrote my one historical, I set it in the Victorian period.

Hi Patricia! Thanks for dropping by and your well wishes. Your description of the Victorian age people as being “bubbling cauldrons of sensuality” is dead on. Once I’m finish my medieval series, I’m going to have to look into writing something about this period.

I like the Medieval Period, too, but my favorite …oh, geez, I can’t pick a favorite. Love Regencies, Civil War era, Japan in the 1880s…WWII, Colonial America…I feel a trip to the bookstore coming already!

I’m fairly new to historicals. I always enjoyed history in school, but never combined that too much with my romance reading. I’ve always been a contemporary romance reader/writer…but I’m trying to expand my horizons. lol

I was never a fan of the Middle Ages till about 10 years ago, when I started really getting into the literature of the High and Late Middle Ages. I’m still not a fan of the Crusades and the intolerant attitudes many Europeans had towards other religions (not to mention women who went against the grain), but the era was a lot more vibrant and cultured than it’s often given credit for.

I write 20th century historical, and my favorite decades are the Forties, Twenties, Sixties, and Thirties. I also love contemporary historical fiction (post-Vietnam War on), though some people don’t consider that real history yet. Outside of my century of choice, I love the Civil War era, Japanese history (someday I’d love to write some books set during the Heian, Feudal, and Meiji eras), the Golden Age of Islam, the Renaissance, the Gilded Age, and prehistory. I recently decided to someday revisit some long-shelved (but never forgotten) characters and stories set in the 18th and 19th centuries, so within the next few years, I’ll be back to Colonial America and the pioneer era.

Sounds like you are quite the history buff, Carrie-Anne! I know I’ve been enjoying your early 20th century snippets. You make that time period come alive. 🙂 Thanks so much for coming by. I too love the Civil War era!

You sound very well read, Carrie Anne! I haven’t really gone beyond the Medieval and Regency, but it sounds like there’s whole eras that I’m missing out on. Thanks for opening my eyes to these interesting periods!